Modified book binding

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a novel book cover which is used together with the known firm bindings, that is U-shaped steel bars. According to the invention, a flexible support material is arranged in two layers and in parallel to the flanks of a U-shaped bar. The layers of the book cover that are in parallel to the flanks are intimately glued together except for a flexible connection of two layers, that is either the support material is flexibly arranged in relation to its two layers or—as shown in FIG.  1 —the inner surface of the flank is flexibly arranged in relation to the layer. The resin layer usually fixes the leaves, the resin layer being applied on the transversal insert of the support material. The transversal insert rests against the base of the U-shaped bar, that is it is not firmly linked with it, when the book is closed. When the book is opened, the bound leaves are vertically moved, thereby allowing the leaves to be turned so that they lie flat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of GERMAN Application No.199 09 186.2 filed on Mar. 3, 1999. Applicant also claims priority under35 U.S.C. §120 of PCT/DE00/00579, filed on Feb. 29, 2000. Theinternational application under PCT article 21 (2) was not published inEnglish.

The invention concerns a new book binding, which is applied using theknown hardback bindings made of metal. The invention will preferably beused for binding pamphlets, brochures and reports. Use according to theinvention can also cover binding approx. 400 pages and more. Themodified binding has many design versions, which the decisive new ideasunderlie, whereby all versions also have the corresponding advantagesover conventional solutions.

Traditional binding has long been a tried and tested process. However,it requires a long processing time and is therefore very cost-intensive.

Other binding processes are paperback and the hardback binding by meansof metal, in particular steel, already mentioned. With paperback bindingthe strength is not optimal. In hardback binding with the use of a metalrail the drawback is that it is difficult to open the book. Unobstructedreading in the area of the book binding is also often only possible ifthe pages have to be held apart with a certain exertion of force. Assoon as the hand is removed from a book bound in such a way, the pagesfrequently turn themselves over. According to experience such bindingslead to certain problems when using books, as it is annoying if pagesturn themselves as soon as the book is placed down in an open position.

It is also known that the horizontal surface of a U-section made ofmetal is coated with resin on the inside. In this connection referenceis made to EP 0719655 A1. When binding is being carried out in thebinding device, the resin is heated and consequently changed into aplastic state so that the pages placed vertically onto the horizontalsurface of the U-section sink into the resin. After cooling, the pagesare fixed. It should be emphasised that the U-section according to thestate of the art is lined on the outside. Imitation leather is oftenused for this.

Furthermore, a binding according to DE 197 29 708 A1 is known.Accordingly a cardboard-strengthened binding, consisting of one part, isglued onto the external surfaces of a U-section made of metal. Fortechnical reasons, this gives a tasteful design to the binding. In thisDE 197 29 708 A1 several versions are described, e.g. that between theflanks of the U-section a soft sheeting is aligned that is welded with atransparent sheeting, serving to protect the bound printed products andallowing them to be viewed. One of the other versions of theaforementioned disclosure also assumes that the cardboard-strengthenedbinding completely covers the U-section. Complementary to this it isproposed that by gluing the cover material at the ends of the flanks ofthe U-section and by gluing the cover material with the materialsaligned on the internal sides of the flanks of the U-section, a new kindof binding is created.

According to EP 0 641 674 A1 a book-binder is recognized by the solid Uprofile made of conductive material (ex. metal) in which the pages areglued in place. On the parallel flanks of the U profile a flexiblecarrying material is used to connect the U profile.

The bindings described briefly here, using a U-shaped metal rail, fulfiltheir task with respect to the strength of the binding. However, itshould not be overlooked that with a hardback binding using a metalrail, the above-mentioned problem arises in each case that it is moredifficult to open the book or the pages turn themselves as soon as thebook is removed from the hand.

The WO 82 03 824 A doesn't include the U-Section in which the pages arebound. Instead a plastic housing is used that is tied with one band.Since a stabilizing U profile is missing, the solution will be accordingto EP 0 077 795 B1 for only special uses.

It is therefore the task of the invention to propose a binding thatallows very easy handling of the bound book, brochure, etc. It shoulddefinitely be possible to open the book flat. The binding should bedurable and useable for a long time. The binding method that allows themanufacture of the binding according to the invention should be securewhen handled (positioning of the pages) and quick to produce.Accordingly the new binding should be cost-effective.

According to the invention the task will be solved as follows, wherebyreference is made to Patent Claim 25 as far as the underlying inventiveidea is concerned. The further development of the invention arises fromPatent Claims 26 to 29.

Further remarks are to follow for the presentation of the invention.

It is assumed that the binding is carried out by using a binding made ofmetal designed as a U-section. The hardback binding according to thestate of the art becomes a moveable binding according to the inventionby the use of the U-section. Accordingly, flexible base material isused, applied in the area of each flank of the U-section. (A coatedU-section is used if required). By turning the pages, the base materialis always used in two layers. At the upper end of the flanks of theU-section a moveable base material connection is formed in the areawhere the pages are turned, in other words a kind of “joint”.Accordingly, always two surfaces in the area of the flanks are moveable(can be shifted vertically), whereas all the other surfaces are boundtightly together by gluing. Depending on the design version used, thesurfaces are aligned to each other moveably by two quires or one quireand a section surface.

If special design versions use additional flexible base material, whichis aligned parallel to the flanks and the sole of the U-section, theaforementioned principle still applies that the two quires formed byturning the flexible base material form a kind of “joint” in the areawhere the pages are turned.

So that the vertical shifting can take place when the book is opened,there must still be a cross-connection of the flexible base materialparallel to the sole of the U-section. This cross-connection only lieson the sole of the U-section. It is not connected with the U-sectionsole.

The upper layer on the U-section sole is thermosetting adhesive(hereafter described as a resin layer), by the use of which the pagesare fixed. As a result of the fact that shifting can occur in the flankarea and the cross-connection lies loosely on the sole of the U-section,the resin layer with the attached pages is moved vertically when thebook is opened even with a hardback U-section made of metal. The bookcan then be opened flat and further requirements of the binding, asresulting from the task set for the invention, are fulfilled.

Opening the book with a solid U-Section made of metal and an adhesivewith attached pages is possible. A flat opening of the book and otheruses of the binder described previously are fulfilled.

It should also be pointed out that instead of the thermosetting adhesivea cold-bonding method can be used for fixing the pages. In addition, awelding process of two adhesive bases is conceivable.

The invention is now to be explained by means of design examples.

The following reference marks mean:

1—U-section made of metal, preferably steel

2—flanks of the U-section

3—inner flank surface of the U-section

4—outer flank surface of the U-section

5—Sole of the U-Section

6—flexible base material

7—quire of the flexible base material

8—quire of the flexible base material

9—cross-insert of the flexible base material

10—joint

11—slit

12—adhesive connection

13—resin layer

14—coating of the U-section

15—binding material

16—binding cover

17—joint as a connection between the binding material and the bindingcover

18 —protective strip—detachable

19—bound pages

20—decorative material

21—filing strip

22—double-sided adhesive base

23—perforation

With the use of the reference marks it should be noted that in order toavoid repetition not all the parts are always labeled with all thereference marks in the individual figures.

1. Design Example—see FIG. 1

The modified binding consists of a U-section 1 and the flexible basematerial 6, which is aligned in two quires 7, 8 at the flanks 2 of theU-section 1. The resin layer 13 holds the bound pages 19, whereby theresin layer 13 is glued with the cross-insert 9 of the flexible basematerial 6. The cross-insert 9 of the base material 6 is not connectedwith the sole 5 of the U-section. Between the inner flank surface 3 ofthe flank 2 and the quire 7 there is a slit 11. The outer flank surface4 is fixed with the quire 8 by the adhesive connection 12. The area 10,i.e. where the turning of the flexible base material 6 occurs, is formedas a kind of “joint” 10 and this is how it functions. When the book isopened, the resin layer 13 adjusts itself with the fixedcross-connection 9 beneath to the bound pages 19. The movement ispossible by means of the “joint” 10 and the moveable connection, theslit 11, between the inner flank surface 3 and the quire 7 of theflexible base material 6. It is suitable to use fabric for the basematerial 6.

A double-sided adhesive base is labelled with the position mark 22 and adetachable protective strip with the position mark 18. This designversion is intended for individual layout and a variety of readingmaterials can be inserted into it.

2. Design Example—see FIG. 2

It is noted that a layer 8 of the base material is fixed together withthe inner flank surface 3 of the U-section 1. The fact that it can bemoved vertically is due again to the slit 11 and the joint 10.

3. Design Example—see FIG. 3

Similar to FIG. 1, a similar solution is shown here. Binding material 15encloses the flexible base material 6, whereas the latter encloses theflank 2. At the end of the flanks 2 there is a joint as a connectionbetween the binding material and the binding cover 17, which is attachedto the binding material 15 and cover 16.

4. Design Example—see FIG. 4

Referring to FIG. 2, a similar solution is offered again. At the ends ofthe flanks 2 a flexible joint 17 serves as a flexible connection betweenthe binding material 15 and the binding covers.

5. Design Example—see FIG. 5

The fifth design example is a modification of the fourth design example.The binding material 15 produces a material connection from one flank 2,under the resin layer 13, to the other in the area of the sole of theU-section 5.

6. Design Example—see FIG. 6

This is an unsymmetrical binding viewed in the cross-section of theU-section 1. The left side of the U-section 1 corresponds in structureto FIG. 2, whereas with the right side of the U-section 1 the flank 2 isenclosed by a sheeting 15.

7. Design Example—see FIG. 7

The unsymmetrical structure of the cross-section of the binding is alsopresent according to FIG. 7. The left side of the U-section 1corresponds in structure to FIG. 2, whereas with the right side of theU-section 1 the base material with its quires 7, 8 surrounds theU-section 1. In addition, a quire of the base material 6 is alignedparallel to the sheeting 15.

8. Design Example—see FIG. 8

The left side of the U-section 1 corresponds again to FIG. 7. On theright side of the U-section the two quires 7, 8 of a flexible basematerial can be found again. The binding material 15 encloses the rightflank of the U-section completely. Between layer 8 of the flexible basematerial, the binding material 15 and the outer flank surface of theU-section there is a fixed adhesive connection.

9. Design Example—see FIG. 9

On the left side of the U-section, FIG. 9 shows the U profile 1 of FIG.1. The right side of FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 6.

10. Design Example—see FIG. 10

The outer flanks 2 of the U-section 1 are fitted with decorativematerial 20. The base material 6 with the quire 8 is fixed with thebinding material 15 and this in turn with the decorative material 20.The binding cover 16 is glued or welded with the binding material 15.

11. Design Example—see FIG. 11

As a modification to FIG. 10 the binding material 15 is between thequire 7 and the bound pages 19.

12. Design Example—see FIG. 12

This is a symmetrical binding viewed in cross-section. Both flanks 2 ofthe U-section 1 correspond in their layer structure to the right side ofthe U-section FIG. 7. However, corresponding to FIG. 12, unlike theright side of the U-section in accordance with FIG. 7, the bindingmaterial 15 is aligned in such away that it is in direct contact withthe pages to be bound 19.

13. Design Example—see FIG. 13

This is a symmetrical binding viewed in cross-section. As a modificationto the right side of the U-section 1 according to FIG. 7, the bindingmaterial 15 is aligned between a soft sheeting and additional flexiblebase material 6.

14. Design Example—see FIG. 14

This symmetrical binding viewed in cross-section is comparable to FIG.12 to a certain extent, however the base material differs from thelayered build up of the Flanks 2 of U-Section 1.

15. Design Example—see FIG. 15

The U-section 1 is covered at the flanks 2 by means of decorativematerial 20. The flexible base material with the quire 8 is fixed withthe decorative material 20, whereas on the quire 7 of the flexible basematerial 6 a quire of paper 15 is glued with a perforation 23. The paper15 is removed at the perforation 23 after binding by being torn out.

16. Design Example—see FIG. 16

According to FIG. 16 a modified binding according to FIG. 10 isdisplayed, whereby a soft sheeting is aligned additionally between theleft flank 2 and the quire 8. A filing strip 21 with filing perforationis welded to this soft sheeting. By turning over the soft sheeting it ispossible to file the bound printed material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modified binding using a hardback U-shapedsection as a book spine with a sole surface and a plurality of flankssituated at a right angle to the sole surface, wherein a plurality ofpages are disposed between said plurality of flanks, said bindingcomprising: a) a resin layer extending parallel to the sole surface saidresin layer for binding said plurality of pages to said sole surface;and b) a flexible base material disposed between the sole surface of theU-shaped section and said resin layer, said flexible base materialcomprising: i) a plurality of quires wherein said plurality of quiresare both parallel to the two right angle flanks of the U-shaped sectionforming a double layer, wherein one of the two right angle flanks isglued to at least one of said plurality of quires; and ii) a crossinsert being coupled to the sole surface and extending transversely tothe right angle flanks; wherein upon opening the book, the bound pageson said resin layer along with said flexible base material and theplurality of flanks of the U-shaped section move so that said flexiblebase material and said plurality of quires form a joint where saidplurality of quires on the plurality of flanks conform to the U-shapedsection.
 2. The modified binding according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of quires form an inner quire and an outer quire with respectto the U-shaped section, and wherein said inner quire is bound with aninner flank surface of the U-section.
 3. The modified binding accordingto claim 3, wherein said plurality of quires are each aligned parallelto the two flanks of the U-shaped section, wherein an outer flanksurface of the U-shaped section is bound to said otter quire.
 4. Themodified binding according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flanksof the U-shaped section are parallel to said flexible base material, andwherein the binding further comprises a flexible one sided material,wherein both sides of the U-shaped section are covered with said onesided material, wherein said one sided material is at an end of theflanks of the U-section; and a joint and a cover wherein said jointflows into said cover.
 5. The modified binding according to claim 2,wherein said inner quire of said plurality of quires is coupled to atleast one side of the U-shaped section parallel to at least one of theplurality of flanks, wherein an upper end of at least one of theplurality of flanks ends so that said inner quire connects to said outerquire, wherein a folding to said flank material forms two layers.